Release that Witch

Two days later, the Eleanor Skycruiser completed its final resupply at a cliff pier, rose to the sky, and flew towards the Land of Dawn hinterland.

A hundred thousand citizens from Neverwinter were present to sent it off—the crowds flooded the streets, climbed the roofs, and even ascended the Impassable Mountain Ranges, just to witness this historic moment. The entire western side of the city was filled with people, once again setting a new record for the number of people attending an activity.

And that was just a portion of Neverwinter’s population.

There were even more people working at the factories, port, and farmlands, every one of them participating in a way for the expedition.

It was coincidentally the same day when the Border Area and Longsong District’s total population broke through the million mark, with more than fifty percent of the source coming from the Kingdom of Wolfheart and Everwinter. Although they were unlike the initial migrants that harbored negative emotions towards Neverwinter, everyone was able to sense the shock from the surge of people, as well as the common consensus that the day was extraordinarily meaningful.

Following the loud booms from the ceremonial cannons, the Eleanor Skycruiser traveled parallel to the mountains and moved towards Longsong Stronghold before turning west. It moved steadily into the distance, and finally disappeared from everyone’s sight.

But the elevated atmosphere among the citizens did not stop there.

Graycastle Weekly’s tracking reports caused the sales volume to reach an all time high, and everywhere on the streets, the topics discussed lingered around the topic of this attack. Gradually, the day of the departure became widely known as Miracle Day, representing humanity’s new beginning of conquering the skies. This was the second event to be hailed as a miracle after the Miracle Building.

However, it was much quieter on the floating island.

After the initial enthusiasm passed, the engineering team dedicated themselves to the tense but orderly work.

It was the same with the Aerial Knights as well, aside from the routine flights conducted by the detection squad, all the students took flight at least once a day to familiarize themselves with the surrounding terrain. The large floating island, the busy runway, and the thick smoke from the furnace area formed a rather distinct and unique scene.

“How does it feel? Are you able to adapt to your new body?”

In the core region of the floating island, Roland stood at the bottom of the mine and looked at Eleanor, who was firmly tied to the God’s Stone pillar.

In the past month, not only did the pillar become bigger, the Mother of Soul had even grown more tentacles and dug them into the soil beneath like the roots of a plant. According to her logic, the tentacles were additional perceptive organs for her, providing her better control over the island. In a sense, the island was the body and the tentacles were the nerves.

“Much better compared to before.” Eleanor’s voice was much lighter and casual as well. “I can see; I can hear; I can think. How can I be dissatisfied with that? Compared to Elena and the others, I am considered extremely fortunate already.’

“Lady Chief, don’t say that,” Pasha lowered her main tentacle and replied.“Everyone knows that if not for your choice to merge, we would never have survived. Furthermore, you didn’t know that this day would come. This act of bravery is already enough to—”

“I’m talking about the outcome and not the process,” Eleanor interrupted her. “I believe that I wasn’t the only one who was willing to sacrifice for the Union. My other sisters would as well. I merely was first.”

Seems like she’s doing well, Roland thought to himself. He had his worries previously. As a Witch, she had fought against the demons for decades, and he was afraid that she would ultimately turn into a demon herself. But by the looks of it, Eleanor was extremely mature and did not worry about the form of her body at all.

“I know what you’re thinking.” Eleanor suddenly turned her attention back to him. “You were afraid that I couldn’t get over it and become depressed and reclusive? If I were the only person left in the world, that might have happened. But with basically everyone here and the state of the war far better than how it was four centuries ago, and with so much new knowledge that requires studying, where do I have the time or effort to act like that?”

“Er… Studying?”

“For the Union to become the rulers of humanity, it does not rely only on abilities. Back then, we were equipped with the most advanced technology and ideas. Similarly for us, calling it three representatives isn’t an exaggeration either. Although the Union’s glory no longer exists, I still have to rely on studying and learning to keep up with the current generation’s progress.”

Roland was speechless. The familiar terms used by her were clearly picked up from the God’s Punishment Witches. God knew what they were teaching her. “And what have you learned up to now?”

“College level,” Eleanor replied. “Almost at the graduation phase.”

“Previously, we had Celine, Ling, and the others to guide and teach Lady Eleanor, but now, Lady Eleanor is the one teaching them,” Pasha added with a laugh.

Wait, she just woke up less than two months ago and she’s already finished with a college curriculum? Roland clicked his tongue. Before, he did not attach importance when Eleanor forced Mask away, and it was only then did he realize that he had underestimated the learning ability of dozens of brains.

“By the way, I made a miniature core apparatus that might help us in the following battles.”

With Eleanor’s consent, Pasha pulled out a frame the size of a palm and placed it on the “palm.” It floated silently and produced a dazzling blue luster at its center, just like gigantic magic power cores.

“What is it capable of?” Roland asked.

“It is able to imitate, to a certain extent, telekinetic powers, and is able to influence foreign objects… For example the rotation of handles and the pressing of triggers, etc. If it is combined with a specific machinery, I can control the machinery using magic power,” Eleanor explained. “Although Mask had taken away all mobility features of this body, he did not seal the use of the magic power completely. It means that when enemies come, I am able to operate weapons and engage in battle myself. The theory involved is somewhat similar to the automatic weapons in the Dream World.”

Roland gaped in shock.

And that wasn’t all as she continued, “In a sense, firing a gun can be considered computational, something that I am proficient in. Compared to an ordinary soldier, I am able to increase the effective hit rate of firearms to ninety percent within their effective maximum range. The shortfall is that I am unable to move nimbly and need to match the firearm with a gun turret, and also have to position my tentacles and the miniature core beforehand. But at the very least, the weapon turrets will become highly effective while defending the island.”

“How many can you control at once?”

“That depends on how many tentacles I have.” She paused for a while. “I’m guessing a few hundred?”

Upon thinking of the scene whereby a few hundred machine gun turrets, or even cannons, were controlled by Eleanor to fire at the enemy, Roland almost smacked his lips. But this was not the reason for his lament. What he cared about was Eleanor’s combination of magic power and machinery. The knowledge of both aspects came from Mask Nassaupelle as well as the Dream World. Not only did she absorb the knowledge, she had also taken the initiative to combine them! If given additional time, how much change would she bring to the world?

“If this mission hadn’t required the use of the floating island, I would never have thought of sending you personally into battle.” Roland revealed his thoughts. “What humans are lacking the most at present is guidance in this direction.”

“Oh? You’re not afraid that my understanding of these things will exceed yours?” It sounded as though Eleanor was giggling.

“Lady Eleanor…” Pasha wanted to stop Eleanor, but she did not know how to phrase her sentence.

“Why should I be afraid?” Roland returned with a question. “It is extremely normal for successors to surpass their predecessors. This signifies continuous progress in a civilization. If humanity’s knowledge is limited by me, that is when I will consider our future bleak.”

“…” The other party remained silent for a moment before speaking up again.“You are truly not qualified to be a King. But…”

“You are definitely worthy of being hailed as a trustworthy leader.”